{"id":2431,"date":"2025-05-23T07:02:21","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T06:02:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2431"},"modified":"2025-05-21T10:15:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T09:15:50","slug":"top-9-tips-for-choosing-the-right-accountant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/2025\/05\/top-9-tips-for-choosing-the-right-accountant\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 9 Tips for Choosing the Right Accountant"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes : <\/span><\/span>

Top 9 Tips for Choosing the Right Accountant<\/h1>\n

Running a small business isn\u2019t easy, and when it comes to money stuff like tax returns, VAT, and payroll, it can all feel a bit much. That\u2019s where a good accountant comes in \u2013 someone who can take the stress off your plate and help your business grow. But how do you actually choose the right one?<\/p>\n

Here are our top 9 tips to help you find an accountant who actually gets what you need and won\u2019t cost you the earth.<\/p>\n

1. Know What You Need Help With<\/h2>\n

Not all accountants do the same stuff. Some just do tax returns, others offer full-on support with business planning, payroll, bookkeeping, and even helping you get funding.<\/p>\n

So, before you even start looking, make a quick list of what you actually need help with. That way, you can make sure the accountant you pick covers it all \u2013 no point paying for extras you don\u2019t need or missing out on services that could save you time and cash.<\/p>\n

2. Ask Other Business Owners<\/h2>\n

Word of mouth is gold. If you know other small business owners \u2013 whether in your area, your industry, or online \u2013 ask who they use and whether they\u2019d recommend them.<\/p>\n

People are usually happy to share the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to accountants. And if someone\u2019s had a brilliant experience, chances are you might too.<\/p>\n

3. Check They\u2019re Properly Qualified<\/h2>\n

This might seem obvious, but don\u2019t assume every accountant is legit. Look for someone who\u2019s registered with a proper professional body like ACCA, ICAEW, CIMA, CAI, ICAS, CIPFA (from https:\/\/www.frc.org.uk\/library\/supervision\/professional-bodies-supervision\/supervision-of-accountancy\/<\/a> )\u00a0 You can usually find this on their website or just ask them.<\/p>\n

Being part of a professional body means they\u2019ve got proper training, follow a code of conduct, and have insurance if things go wrong. Bit of peace of mind for you!<\/p>\n

4. Pick Someone Who Understands Small Businesses<\/h2>\n

Some accountants mainly deal with big corporations, and while they might be clever with numbers, they won\u2019t always understand what a small business needs.\u00a0 Others will specialise in certain industry sectors such as charities, health providers, property or even start-ups with high growth potential.<\/p>\n

You may want to look for someone who works with other small businesses or sole traders. They\u2019ll be more clued up on your day-to-day challenges, tax breaks you can use, and how to stay lean without cutting corners.<\/p>\n

If they have experience in your industry sector that can be an added bonus.\u00a0 For example someone that has worked with IT contractors is more likely to understand the processes around that sector than someone that works entirely with small local shops.<\/p>\n

5. Make Sure They\u2019re Easy to Talk To<\/h2>\n

You\u2019re going to be dealing with this person a fair bit, especially around tax deadlines or when money\u2019s tight. So you probably want someone who talks like a normal person \u2013 no jargon, no lectures, just clear advice and friendly chats.<\/p>\n

If your eyes glaze over every time they speak, they\u2019re probably not the one for you. A good accountant should make you feel comfortable and confident, not confused or talked down to.<\/p>\n

6. Ask About Fees Up Front<\/h2>\n

No one likes surprise bills. So ask how much they charge, what\u2019s included, and whether it\u2019s a flat fee or hourly rate. Some accountants offer monthly packages that cover everything \u2013 which can be great for budgeting.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t be afraid to shop around! A more expensive accountant might save you more in tax than a cheaper one who misses things. It\u2019s not just about price \u2013 it\u2019s about value.<\/p>\n

7. Find Out What Tech They Use<\/h2>\n

These days, most decent accountants will use cloud accounting software like Xero, QuickBooks or FreeAgent. This means you can both see your finances in real time, and you won\u2019t be drowning in paperwork.<\/p>\n

If they\u2019re still asking for stuff in shoeboxes or spreadsheets, it might be time to keep looking. You want someone who makes life easier, not harder.<\/p>\n

8. Check How Fast They Respond<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s nothing worse than needing help quickly and not getting a reply for a week. When you first get in touch, pay attention to how quickly they get back to you. Are they helpful? Do they sound like they actually care?<\/p>\n

Try asking a few questions over email or phone. A good accountant will be happy to chat and give you useful info \u2013 even before you sign up.<\/p>\n

9. Trust Your Gut<\/h2>\n

At the end of the day, you\u2019ve got to work with this person. So if something feels off \u2013 maybe they seem dodgy, dismissive or just don\u2019t \u2018click\u2019 with you \u2013 it\u2019s OK to walk away.<\/p>\n

There are loads of great accountants out there. Trust your instincts and keep looking until you find one that feels like the right fit. You want someone who\u2019s got your back, not just someone who files your taxes.<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n

Choosing an accountant isn\u2019t just about ticking a box. The right one can save you money, help you grow your business, and take loads of stress off your shoulders.<\/p>\n

Take your time, ask questions, and don\u2019t settle for someone who doesn\u2019t get what you\u2019re about. You, and your business, deserve better than that.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Reading Time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes : <\/span><\/span>Top 9 Tips for Choosing the Right Accountant Running a small business isn\u2019t easy, and when it comes to money stuff like tax returns, VAT, and payroll, it can all feel a bit much. That\u2019s where a good accountant comes in \u2013 someone who can take the stress off your plate and help your business […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2431","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-accounting","category-business-advice"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2431","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2431"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2431\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2431"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2431"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2431"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}